I often wonder why life isn't designed to be seamless and without risks.

Why do we make such obvious mistakes? Why do things so often fail to meet our expectations?

Our hearts get broken, our children engage in terrifying behavior, and our parents age and sometimes forget to put on their pants before going out for a walk.

Anne Lamott doesn't disappoint in this unfiltered and honest exploration of life, faith, and the daily challenges that many of us face but are too afraid to admit to ourselves and others.

She bravely delves into the messy and imperfect aspects of our existence, shining a light on the universal experiences that we all share.

Her words offer a sense of comfort and validation, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles.

Through her writing, we are able to see that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, there is still hope and the possibility of finding meaning and purpose in life.

Anne Lamott's work is a powerful reminder that we should embrace the full spectrum of our experiences, both the good and the bad, and learn to find beauty and strength in the brokenness.

I had a rather complex set of feelings regarding this book.

After reading a few other books since I completed this one, what really sticks out in my mind is the fact that the author repeatedly referred to God as "She".

Now, it's not that I have an unwavering belief that God is a man with a huge white beard. However, I couldn't help but feel that perhaps the author was attempting to be somewhat shockingly casual, as if she had achieved a state of liberation and enlightenment by doing so.

It made me wonder if this was a deliberate choice to challenge traditional notions or if it was simply a stylistic quirk.

Either way, it definitely made an impression on me and added an interesting layer to my overall experience of reading the book.

It's moments like these that make me appreciate the diversity of perspectives and interpretations that can be found within the world of literature.

I'm not entirely certain what my expectations were for this book.

However, I was quite surprised to find that a significant portion of it was simply memoir or what one might refer to as spiritual musings on a single year of the author's life.

The author has a sense of humor, which made the reading somewhat enjoyable. Moreover, each chapter contained at least one "deep thought" that I found worthy of appreciation.

Nevertheless, I had difficulties engaging with the biography aspect of the book, and I'm not entirely sure why.

Perhaps it was due to the fact that the narrative didn't flow as smoothly as I would have liked, or maybe the subject matter didn't resonate with me on a personal level.

Despite these challenges, I did manage to gain some insights from the author's musings, and for that, I'm grateful.

Overall, while this book wasn't exactly what I was hoping for, it did have its moments of interest and value.

I truly loved the introduction to this book. In it, she sort of sets the stage in a very engaging way.

The first 50 pages read like a more traditional memoir, and the writing was truly great. It had a certain charm and authenticity that really drew me in.

I think that while I did enjoy her style and essay writing in the latter parts of the collection, there was a point where it started to feel a bit redundant. Some of the topics and the writing itself also felt a bit dated, considering that this book came out almost 25 years ago.

However, despite these minor drawbacks, I will definitely be checking out more of Lamott's work. I really appreciated her honesty and vulnerability in sharing her faith journey. It was refreshing to read someone who was so open and willing to share their experiences, both the good and the bad.

I look forward to seeing what else she has to offer and continuing to explore her writing.

I am taking my time reading this book,

savoring each chapter with great care. I've truly become tired of memoirs,

especially those of individuals who have endured abuse or have even abused themselves.

However, this little book stands out as being different. Lamott doesn't pretend to have all the answers.

There is no hint of self-righteousness here, nor any attempt at proselytizing.

It's the captivating story of someone who initially had no faith but then, to her own astonishment,

came to God. And in the end, it brought her delight and gratitude.

It's a really nice and sweet book, but not overly so to the point of being cloying.

It's an absolute pleasure to read. I am extremely grateful to the young woman in my knitting group

who recommended it to me. It has opened up a new world of inspiration and reflection for me.

I look forward to continuing to explore its pages and uncovering more of its hidden gems.

Anne Lamott serves as the ideal antidote for those who assume that all evangelical Christians are rigid, right-wing conservatives. Growing up as the child of left-wing, atheistic, Bay-area radicals, and grappling with alcoholism, drugs, and even bulimia, it's truly a miracle that she found faith at all, or even managed to survive her own self-destructive tendencies.

In a charming, brutally honest yet whimsical manner, Lamott details her improbable journey from emptiness to reluctant searching and finally to an even more reluctant faith. This is presented in an extensive prelude section titled "Lily Pads." Each lily pad moment in her life brought her one step closer to an encounter with Jesus or God, whom she often describes using the feminine pronoun.

The rest of the book consists of a series of memoirs and essays, grouped by themes. Each one is outstanding and is likely to make you laugh and perhaps even cry. If you're not easily offended by a few swear words and are open to having your perception of what it means to be a Christian expanded, then check out this wonderful book.

My wife noted that this is a quick read, and Lamott's prose indeed makes it a page-turner. However, I suggest reading no more than an essay or two at a time. This is profound material that is well worth reading slowly and savoring.

I truly adored Lamott's tenderness when she confronted real-life circumstances.

Her deep love for the community and her profound reverence for friendship were also highly appealing to me.

I appreciated her acknowledgments of growth and progress, while at the same time, she was able to recognize her own human errors and frailties.

She served as a reminder for me to be more forgiving and to seek grace in the ordinary aspects of daily life.

Undoubtedly, I have become a better person as a result of reading this.

A couple of things that I really liked are as follows.

On page 82, she wrote, "I called all my smartest friends. All the ones who believe in God told me to pray, so I did. Here are the two best prayers I know: 'Help me, help me, help me.' and 'Thank you, thank you, thank you.' "

On page 163, she stated, "I believe that when all is said and done, all you can do is to show up for someone in crisis, which seems so inadequate. But then when you do, it can radically change everything. Your there-ness, your stepping into a scared (person's) line of vision, can be life giving, because often everyone else is in hiding. So you come to keep them company when it feels like the whole world is falling apart, and your being there says that just for this moment, this one tiny piece of the world is OK, or is at least better."

No matter how much I enjoy a book, I'm generally fine with returning it to the library. However, I'm truly sad to do so with this one.

I'll have to buy it eventually. I've loved Anne Lamott ever since reading 'Bird by Bird,' but this one is—if possible—even more personal and wonderful.

Every page makes me feel hungry for more. The typical wit and what Newsweek calls "ruthless honesty" is definitely present here.

She is not an author who shades her meaning or writes coyly. There are no riddles or abstruse metaphors, just a lot of emotionally raw revelations about her own life.

Interestingly, the stark honesty doesn't seem like over-sharing. It's not that embarrassing TMI we read and sometimes share on social networks.

Here, it's just compelling, truthful, funny, sad, and oh-so-worthwhile. One minute you read "courage is fear that has said its prayers" and you delight in the beauty, simplicity, and truth of that one short aphorism.

Then the next minute you're laughing aloud at her confessions of going to Mexico on vacation and "starting off in heavy Butt Mind on the plane," and then seeing several nubile teenagers.

She describes them as "mostly youthful and bouncy and physically stunning, if you happen to find tan lean youth attractive." Ha!

How she comes to some level of peace with her "middle-aged-mother-butt" persona is hilarious, sweet, and—again—honest.

You are certain you would like this woman in person, considering how real she is. Another huge winner! I worship at Anne Lamott's shrine, even if she would be embarrassed by such an act.

I have a deep affection for Anne's writing style.

What makes her writing so appealing is its authenticity. She doesn't sugarcoat or beautify her words to make them seem nicer or more politically correct.

Instead, she presents her thoughts and ideas in a raw and unfiltered manner, which I find truly refreshing.

I value many of the thoughts she expresses in her works. They often resonate with me on a profound level and make me think about various aspects of life in a different light.

Given my appreciation for her writing, I am highly likely to explore more of her books in the future.

I am eager to discover what other insights and perspectives she has to offer, and I believe that each new book will be a unique and enriching experience.

I look forward to delving deeper into Anne's literary world and continuing to be inspired by her words.

After reading the first 1/3 of this memoir by Anne Lamott, I was truly amazed and left wondering how on earth she was still alive.

Basically, she was an alcoholic, drug-addicted, bulimic teenager who was raised "by a village" as her parents were "otherwise engaged." After all, it was the 1960s.

Later on, she still had many of the same problems and also became a single mother with very little means.

This book takes us on an often precarious journey through her troubled past. With humor and not a small amount of irreverence, it shows us how she comes to walk a path of quirky, but to her life-affirming, and possibly life-saving faith.

I would rate this book 4 stars. * A playlist to follow on a separate thread.

I truly adore Anne Lamott and this remarkable book.

She is, without a doubt, the most down-to-earth and realistic Christian woman I have come across in a very long time, perhaps even ever.

She doesn't pretend to have all the answers or claim to be perfect. Instead, she openly and joyfully loves Jesus.

Anne writes with brutal honesty about her entire life, from childhood to adulthood, including all the in-between times that were filled with alcohol, drugs, eating disorders, and pain.

She shares how she ultimately found herself in the most unexpected place by finding Jesus.

What sets her writing apart is that she doesn't come across as preachy or make the reader feel like they have it all wrong, as many other Christian books on faith tend to do.

Anne writes about herself with such unflinching truth, from admitting that her thighs show the effects of a mom who has neglected to work out, to her disdain for another mom at her son's school that she secretly dislikes.

I can so easily relate to her, and her authenticity is truly inspiring to read.

I found myself laughing out loud at times and crying openly at others, and it reminded me that no two Christians have to look the same.

After all, it is okay to be who we are because God created us that way.

I am eagerly looking forward to getting my hands on another one of Anne Lamott's books.

Anne Lamott writes in such a personable way.

She has this unique ability to draw us in close, as if she is sitting right beside us, sharing a warm cup of tea and inviting us into her very own world.

And what a wonderful world it is to be a part of.

She takes us on her faith journey, from the very beginning to the times of struggle.

She is so real, and yet, she is also filled with an abundance of faith and a deep joy in her faith.

I, myself, am not Christian, but I truly appreciated her focus on God rather than specifically on Christ.

This book is really a gem.

It offers valuable insights and a beautiful exploration of faith.

I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about the power of faith and the journey it can take us on.

Whether you are a person of faith or not, this book has something to offer.

It will touch your heart and make you think about your own beliefs and experiences.

So, give it a try and see for yourself.

You won't be disappointed.